Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman for the DILG, sees no problem with resuming the seasonal ritual of caroling in the NCR, which has been lowered to Alert Level 2.

Christmas Carols in the Philippines | Photo: World Pulse

Residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) will have a more enjoyable holiday season now that outdoor caroling is permitted, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya of the DILG finds no problem with reintroducing the seasonal custom of caroling in the NCR because videoke bars are also permitted, but subject to many regulations such as operating at 50% capacity and only for fully vaccinated patrons.

Malaya observed that the regulations issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) did not state that caroling activities are forbidden under Alert Level 2.

"If caroling is done outdoors, then we do not see any violation in this because we are now under Alert Level 2,"

Malaya explained.

"Under the alert level system, if (it is) not prohibited or regulated, (then it) is allowed,"

he said.

Last year, the authorities banned caroling to avoid an increase of COVID-19 infections during the holidays. As COVID-19 instances continue to decline, quarantine restrictions in the NCR were relaxed late last month.